Even though Robert Griffin III has been cleared to participate in training camp when the Washington Redskins report on Thursday, it is unlikely he will play in any of the preseason games, according to an ESPN report Tuesday morning.

Citing sources close to head coach Mike Shanahan and in the Redskins' front office, ESPN said the team is pessimistic Griffin will return in the preseason and does not want to subject him to any hits this summer. The sources based that on Shanahan’s history of being cautious with players coming off major injuries when he was head coach in Denver.

The Redskins don't want Robert Griffin III to absorb any hits in camp or the preseason. (AP Photo)

Griffin, who underwent reconstructive surgery on his right knee in January, is not expected to participate in contact drills at camp and is likely to only work in seven-on-seven drills when practices begin. He is scheduled to speak publicly on Wednesday, when the players report to camp in Richmond, Va.

The Redskins’ first preseason game is Thursday, August 8 at Tennessee. The regular-season opener is Monday night, September 9, at home against the Eagles.

On Monday morning, the Redskins' quarterback tweeted that doctors “cleared me to practice,” adding that “Coach is going to ease me in." Griffin did not specify which doctors had cleared him.

On Sunday, The Washington Post had reported that Griffin was scheduled to have his knee “extensively” examined on Wednesday by Dr. James Andrews, who did the reconstruction of Griffin’s right knee in January and is a team's medical consultant. Andrews would determine how ready Griffin is to play and relay the information to the team, the Post reported.

If he was not deemed ready to play, the Redskins had the option of placing Griffin on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list at the start of camp.

It was uncertain whether the exam by Andrews for Wednesday would still take place. He was unavailable to comment for the Post story. The Redskins did not immediately comment on Griffin’s tweet.

Citing a person familiar with Griffin’s health, the Post also reported that the quarterback’s knee “feels great” and he was still able to run and cut without pain or limitation.